A Kelso man was sentenced Thursday to five years for striking and killing a pedestrian in 2025.
Larry M. Hole, 46, said the collision was "100% avoidable," and sobbed openly in court.
He pleaded guilty last week to a second-degree manslaughter charge as part of a deal with Cowlitz County prosecutors.
Hole originally faced one count of vehicular homicide and violating the Uniform Controlled Substance Act after admitting to police that he had used meth and weed the day of the crash.
Cowlitz County Superior Court Judge Jill Karmy followed through with the plea agreement, which included 18 months of community custody.
Hole apologized to the family of Cory Clark, 47, of Kelso, and asked for their forgiveness. Several family members wore shirts bearing the victim's image.
Juanita Clark, the victim's wife and who was nearby when the crash occurred, said "I don't have my husband," adding that she is "mad at the situation," during her statement.
Her statement was cut short. Overcome with emotion, she abruptly departed the Cowlitz County Jail Court room and collapsed in tears in the gallery.
Jessica Clark, the victim's adult child, said she was grateful the time she had with her father.
Officers were dispatched at about 7:22 p.m. on Oct. 10, 2025, to the intersection of Kelso Drive and Alma Drive after several reports of bicyclist being hit by a car, according to arresting document.
The collision site was later determined to be near Kelso Drive and Russell Street, south of the Tam O'Shanter Park entrance and the Red Lion Hotel.
Clark was described as "obviously deceased," and that he suffered trauma to his entire body, the report states.
Hole called 911 to report that he thought he ran over an animal in the road. The police found him parked in 2007 BMW 525, near the Red Lion Hotel.
Juanita Clark told the police that she and her husband were heading north on the right side of the roadway, on the sidewalk. He was pushing his bicycle, and she was walking slightly ahead of him.
After the crash she said she couldn't find her husband; she said Hole was traveling at least 60 mph.
Officers observed damage to a guardrail on the eastern side of the road, along with fresh debris and scratches to the sidewalk. Investigators determined Hole's BMW struck the guardrail before driving onto the sidewalk and striking the victim, according to the report.
The guardrail tore through the BMW’s right front fender. Blood was found on the vehicle, the windshield was smashed, and there were scratches on the driver's side wheels, indicating that the BMW crossed into the opposite lane and hit the curb, the report continues.
According to authorities, Hole admitted that he used marijuana in the afternoon and meth in the morning before the crash. He also admitted that he injects meth laced with fentanyl, which has caused his veins to collapse.
Due to Hole's collapsed veins, several healthcare workers at PeaceHealth St. John Medical Center couldn't collect his blood as part of the search warrant. Officers at the scene also report finding a sandwich bag containing drugs.
